The Atlanta School of Aikido offers a style of Aikido based on the teachings of Koichi Tohei's Ki Society, Shihan Shizuo Imaizumi's of Shin Budo Kai Aikido, Mark Leidig of the School of Inner Martial Arts, and Dan Harden's Sangenkai. It is movement based, flowing and smooth, but true to Aikido's martial roots.
Training includes the empty-handed arts of Aikido (throwing and pinning) as well as Ki training, weapons training with jo (staff), bokken (wooden sword), and Internal Power development.
Classes are small and focused on personalized instruction. Beginners train with experienced students or an instructor at the start of their training.
It is our hope that you will come by and visit one of our classes.
Although this site deals primarily with the Atlanta School of Aikido dojo, information within these pages pertains to the other affiliated dojos. Additional information regarding these other dojos can be found on the links page.
Within the following pages, you will find information, some history, and photos.
NOTE: We are excited to be moving to the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA)! With our move to MJCCA, schedule and pricing may change slightly from what is listed.
Class schedule:
Day | Time |
Monday | 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM |
Wednesday | 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
Saturday | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM |
Classes are ongoing, you may start at any time. All beginning students are paired with advanced students for a quality and safe experience.
It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you watch a class before registering. Visitors are always welcome! Please remember that MJCCA is a gated facility, and, to visit class, you will need to be put on the visitors list if you are not already a MJCCA member. Please contact Sensei Feldman for more information or to be added to the visitor's list. email: larryfeldman2 (at) gmail (dot) com Phone:(770)522-9898
Monthly dues:
Regular - Non-MJCCA Member | $75.00 |
Regular - MJCCA Member | $45.00 |
Students, Law Enforcement | $45.00 |
Single-Visit Matt Fee | $15.00 |
Online Payment Link Coming Soon!
No Contracts, No Initiation Fees, No Fee For Testing.
Class Registration:
For information about registering and paying for class, please click the link below:
Location:
Atlanta School of Aikido meets at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA)Other Class Inforamtion:
Chief Instructor
Larry Feldman - Sensei
Chief Instructor at the Atlanta School of Aikido
Larry Feldman started his martial arts career in 1973 studying Hakko Ryu Ju Jitsu, a traditional Japanese style of Ju Jitsu. Larry has been studying Aikido since 1978 and has been a student of Mark Leidig since 1985, and Shizuo Imaizumi from 1986 to 2005. Larry has been studying Internal Power with Dan Harden since 2012.
In November, 2015, Larry was promoted to Rokudan (6th degree black belt) by Mark Leidig - Sensei.
Instructors
Phil Newman - Sandan (3rd degree black belt)
Assistant Instructor
Phil began his study of Aikido in 1996 with Sensei Feldman. Prior to this time, he had an interest in martial arts, but never commited himself to formal study. Under Sensei Feldman's teaching and guidance, Phil slowly progressed from someone with no skills to the level of Shodan in 2006. The journey has been exciting, both physically and spiritually. He derives great pleasure from applying the skills he has learned under Sensei Feldman and Sensei Leidig in his teaching of beginning students.
Steve Rohrabacher - Sandan (3rd degree black belt)
Chief Instructor - North Georgia School of Aikido
Steve began studying Judo in 1968, he was promoted to Shodan 1977. Steve studied Aikido in Aikikai style with Peter Bernath, 7th Dan, Florida Aikikai, from 1984-1993. Steve has been studying Aikido with Larry Feldman, Shinbudokai / School of Inner Martial Arts, Atlanta, from 1999- present. Steve was promoted to Shodan in 2007.
Steve is also the Chief Instructor of the North Georgia School of Aikido, LLC in Clarkesville, Georgia. More information can be found at http://northgeorgiaschoolofaikido.com/
Mitch Messer - Shodan (1st degree black belt)
Assistant Instructor
Mitch began his Aikido training in 2000, for the practical self-defense aspect and also as training for real-world conflict resolution and high-stakes negotiation. Mitch was promoted to Shodan in 2007. In addition to Aikido, Mitch has studied archery and western fencing, particularly epee and foil.
Hector Viust - Nidan (2nd degree black belt)
Primary instructor for the Thrusday night class.
Hector began his Aikido journey in 2009. While he has practiced other forms of martial arts prior to joining the Atlanta school of Aikido, he has never committed to any particular martial art. However, under Sensie Larry’s guidance, he was able to find his path through Aikido. “Aikido has allowed me to practice a martial art that does not conflict with my thoughtful nature. It has been an enlightening experience to be able to deal with conflict in a compassionate manner.” Hector looks forward to continuing his Aikido journey and sharing his experiences with others.
Hector was promoted to Shodan in August 2014.
“As I look back upon my Aikido career, I feel that I was extremely lucky to have come upon and chosen The Atlanta School of Aikido as my guide in my martial arts journey. The knowledge, depth of understanding, commitment and most of all patience of the instructors have been supremely beneficial to me. I highly recommend this school for your journey as well and look forward to training with you on the mat”
Pete - Shodan (1st degree black belt)
Assistant Instructor
Amos Causey - Shodan (1st degree black belt)
Assistant Instructor
Dan Harden - Shodan (1st degree black belt)
Mark Leidig - Sensei
The Atlanta School of Aikido holds seminars with Mark Leidig 7th Dan, Chief instructor of the Austin (TX), College of Aikido and founder of the School of Inner Martial Arts.Dan Harden
Dan Harden's next seminar in Atlanta will be held on the following date:School Lineage
The following chart shows the lineage of the Atlanta School of Aikido going back to the founder, Morihei UeshibaAffiliated Dojos
School of Inner Martial ArtsFriends of the Atlanta School of Aikido
North Georgia School of Aikido, Clarksville, GAHow to Find a School
Most people pick a school because they drive by it on the way to the dry cleaners.Why should you watch a class before starting our class?
Because I am more interested in your time than your money.Aikido Benefits the Body
Besides being a full-body workout, Aikido provides many benefits. These benefits Include:Aikido Benefits the Mind
While Aikido is a good workout, it has many benefits for the student's mind as well. Particularly, Aikido views the mind and body as connected and integrated. Therefore, practice builds and stimulates that connection. Here are some of the benefits:Aikido Benefits outside the Dojo
While Aikido offers many benefits to the student while studying in class, there are also many benefits to be realized outside of class as well. They include:Atlanta School of Aikido teaches Internal Power development as taught by Dan Harden and his Sangenkai organization.
Dan learned Internal Power in Daito Ryu Aiki Jitsu and made a personal journey out of applying these principals in MMA and traditional Japanese Swordsmanship. The principals apply universally across Yoga, Tai Chi, Aikido Daito Ryu, Hsing I, and Bagua. The commonality of these arts is based on spiral movement.
Dan will quote O'Sensei (the founder of Aikido and legendary martial artist); demonstrate the bodywork O'Sensei was referring to; and show it's application in not only Aikido but other martial arts.
Very few people in the world can generate the power Dan Harden demonstrates. Even fewer can teach it in a coherent, systematic way.....in English.
We practice Internal Power development with solo exercises, paired practice, and ultimately integrated into Aikido. Here is what one of our students has experienced with Internal Power practice.
"Before starting Aikido, I had an injury to my hip,
resulting in daily discomfort and limited mobility, including
an uneasiness about my ability to perform some of the
techniques required by Aikido. However, after 2-3 months of
performing the bodywork exercises, the discomfort in the hip
disappeared and I regained full confidence in my physical
ability."
- Joe M.
More information on Internal Power can be found at:
www.bodyworkseminars.org